Remember our very brown front yard with the dead grass? George's parents had been down to visit and I guess noticed how bad it looked, because one day in September they called and told us they were coming into town and were bringing a family friend who was visiting from Taiwan to help us landscape!
JoAnn, an old family friend, has a degree in landscape design and offered her expertise when she heard what sad shape our yard was in.
It was a fun day! George was off work, so while Lance and Jude were at school, we had lunch on the downtown mall.
Lexi doesn't seem too pleased, but Lily sure enjoyed holding her sister. Lily, you'd better watch out. Lexi looks like she's going to pass you up any day now!
It's okay. I love that you're a peanut.
Lily and JoAnn became fast friends.
We will probably hire a professional landscape team to come in and do the big work, building the scape JoAnn designs, but since it looked so sad, JoAnn decided we needed a change immediately and purchased plants and flowers to brighten up the place until she comes back in a few months.
George, JoAnn, Mom, and Dad worked so hard.
I don't think I got an "after" shot, but it looked 100% better and happier with the new plants. Now all we have to do is not kill it. Good luck to us.
I've said it before, but baby #5 has really been a struggle for me. Lexi is a perfect baby, it's just the extra little body thrown into an already chaotic household is a bit overwhelming, especially at bedtime when everyone seems to need my attention.
It is so wonderful when George is home and can help. I love this picture (please ignore all the semi-naked bodies--it was bed time and this is a moment I want to remember) These kids love stories and love their daddy, so Daddy reading a story is a dream come true.
I love my family, even if I feel like I'm drowning 60% of the time. It's getting better.
Virginia is wonderful for many reasons, not the least of which is all the wildlife we find around our house:
This poor toad got passed around far too many times and made off like a bullet when we finally let him go.
Lance and Lily are developing a sweet relationship. Lance is so good and patient with her and she loves him right back. I enjoy watching these two interact.
Speaking of Lily, she is increasingly more interested in anything and everything I do, including putting on makeup, painting fingernails, fixing my hair, and, of course, feeding Lexi. The other day she found my breast pads and decided she needed to wear one too!
Lexi is growing like a weed these days. We took her to the park one day and discovered she loves the swings!
My sweet girls.
They had a fun time swinging together and laughing. I hope they grow up to be best friends.
Buddies
Bender is such a goofy dog. He is crazy, hyper, and fiercely loyal. He has to be where the family is and is convinced he's one of the kids.
His favorite time of day is when I bring him with me in the car to take the kids to school.
I am constantly amazed at what a nice young man Lance is growing into. With George's work schedule, I'm often alone with the kids. Lance fills in as an extra pair of hands, often without me even asking. I don't know what I would do without him!
Little Lexi's personality is shining throw brighter with each passing day. We are loving this happy, sweet little girl who cheers us up with her smiles and giggles.
It was Chad's Birthday on September 28th, so we sent him this video of us singing Happy Birthday.
Love it!
